Interval Running

An Effective Time Saving Workout

I am an unconventional jogger/runner. I do not follow the norm. It may be because I strive to make my workout fun and enjoyable and to also make it as effective as I can in the shortest amount of time. This is important to this busy mother of 3 boys. Because I am a unique jogger, I have people looking at me with wonder. I have fellow joggers pass by me with a look of bewilderment and intrigue. To have an impact on people and to cause them to think also brings me enjoyment.

When I first started jogging, I lived in a very hilly subdivision with streets that had very long steep hills. I began walking up the hills backwards to work other muscles in my legs and to just change things up. Other walkers and joggers would smile and wave and give me a look of “hum, I wonder if that works”? Or they would ask me if it really works? What amazed me and gave me such satisfaction was within a month many of these people were walking backwards up the same hills. When there is something new to try, that takes me out of the same old routine, I am all over it!

So now I have a new intriguing workout that is causing people to stop me to find out what the heck am I doing? They see me run as a fast as I can, full sprint, for 30 seconds and then briskly walk for 90 seconds, I do this eight times. This defies anything I have learned about working out. But I will tell you it works!

I first learned about interval running on Dr. Mercola’s website, mercola.com. He calls it interval cardio or Peak Fitness and says it is far better than any aerobic exercise that you do for an hour. Here are the benefits to this new way of working out: Something that is very dear to my heart, is it is an efficient way to lose weight, you keep burning calories for up to 8 hours. You turn on your bodies fat burning metabolism, you become a fat burning machine! You increase production of the human growth hormone (HGH) which Dr. Mercola states is the KEY to strength, health, and longevity. As I understand it, interval cardio increases your super-fast muscle fibers which triggers your body to produce HGH. You increase your lung size, sending more oxygen to your brain, cells, and organs. You increase your athletic speed and performance.

With interval running you only need to work out 2-3 times per week for 20 minutes.

With how busy our lives are these days, who wouldn’t appreciate such a short workout schedule?

After interval running for a month, I saw definition in my stomach and legs. I had a lot more stamina and I felt great! I also had more time with a shorter workout schedule.

Here’s How To Do Interval Running

Here is how to do interval running as outlined by Dr. Mercola. Start with walking briskly for 3 minutes, this is your warm-up. Sprint/run as fast as you can for 30 seconds. Walk briskly for 90 seconds. Repeat the sprint and walking 8 times. Finish with walking briskly for 2 minutes as a cool down. This all adds up to only 20 minutes. Keep in mind when you reach the 30 second sprint you should be short of breath, feel the athletic “burn”, and begin to sweat.

You don’t have to run, this can be done with any cardio exercise. I tried it with jump roping and WOW! I had the hardest workout I have ever had!

So get out there, try something new and create a buzz!

*Tip for interval running: I count every step I take with my left foot up to 40 while doing the 30 second sprint, for me that is 30 seconds. I count every step I take with my left foot up to 90 during the 90 second brisk walk, for me that is 90 seconds. Also, while sprinting take really long strides with your feet and swing your elbows and then your hands as high as you can with every stride.

Written by Laurel Brushett

*Want to know how far you are walking in a day? Or how many calories you burn? Get the Ozeri 4x Motion Digital Pedometer with Tri Axis Technolo gy. Takes the guesswork out of your daily routine!

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SproutedFork

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